NovelEnglishYvonne, who always held a vendetta against Skylar and Yulia for robbing the company from her, was
thrilled to witness Skylar Stone getting scammed in the flesh.
“Yulia,” she said as she turned toward her cousin. “I suppose the company must be doing very well for
itself, considering you can spend $600,000 on a fake painting. If Grandfather found out, I think he might
have a heart attack on his birthday!” she said in a mocking tone.
“Watch your words, Yvonne,” Yulia shot her a glare before turning to the shopkeeper. “Sir, I know about
the rules, but we have not even left your premises. Isn’t that just a tad unfair?” she argued.
The shopkeeper cleared his throat and was about to defend himself when Skylar placed a gentle hand
on his wife’s arm. “Yulia, it’s alright for him to do so. In the world of antiques, it’s all about who has the
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtbetter eye. If the seller cannot recognize an undiscovered gem right in front of his own eyes, then it’s
his loss. Take this painting for example. It is actually worth ten times more than an original Fontaine,
but he won’t be sharing any part of the profit.” Skylar made a show of shaking his head, mourning the
shopkeeper’s loss.
Upon hearing Skylar’s explanation, the shopkeeper narrowed his eyes. “Sir, it’s alright to admit you
made a mistake. You don’t have to keep bragging about it just to save some face,” he chided. “To be
honest with you, this is indeed a piece from Fontaine’s era, but no one knows who painted it. Judging
from the dull colors and the unrefined technique, it must have been some nameless apprentice. I don’t
know how you have the confidence to say that it’s worth ten times more than a Fontaine!”
Nolan and Yvonne giggled in glee as the painting’s true origin was revealed. Yulia clenched her jaw
hard, wanting nothing more than to leave the shop. She tugged on her husband’s hand. “Sky, let’s go.”
She had thought that Skylar only said what he said because he did not want Yvonne to think any less
of them. However, there was no way the shopkeeper did not take stock of the origin of his own goods.
Together with Nolan Oakley’s seeming expertise, she was quite certain her husband had bought a
worthless piece of art. No matter how talented Skylar was, he could not possibly turn a worthless
painting into something ten times more valuable than a Fontaine.
Taking in his wife’s anxious expression, Skylar felt slightly cheeky as he discreetly gave her a light
pinch on the buttocks. “Don’t worry, my dear, when have I ever said anything I was unsure of, hmm?”
Yulia turned as red as a tomato. Did Skylar really just pinch her buttocks in public? She was completely
mortified! Yet, the gesture felt a little sweet and scandalous at the same time. What was happening to
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmher? she wondered.
She did not have to dwell on her embarrassment for too long as Skylar fished out a little penknife
thinner than an average dagger from his breast pocket. Under the scrutiny of everyone in the room,
Skylar unfolded the painting and swiftly used the knife to free the canvas from its frame. Once the
frame was undone, Skylar used his fingers to feel the texture of the painting and found a corner where
he could peel the painting, revealing an entirely new second layer underneath the first!
Without waiting for a response, Skylar picked up the original first layer and tore it neatly by half, and
then once more into quarters. It was then when the layer revealed another hidden layer! Just like Skylar
had said, the painting was an undiscovered gem! Everyone in the shop, including Nolan Oakley and
the shopkeeper, were in silent shock and amazement.
Skylar peeled off the remaining paper bits, revealing the entire hidden painting for all to behold. Nolan
and the shopkeeper immediately rushed to appraise the hidden artwork.
A few moments later, they simultaneously exclaimed, “Is this… a real Leonard York?”
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